Page 24 of Better Hate than Never

Jamie grins, his gaze finding Bea. “I have some experience dancing with Beatrice.” He sets down his beer on the table beside him and says, already strolling toward her. “She knows she can step on my toes all she wants.”

Margo sighs as we watch them meet and talk, Bea smiling up at Jamie as he wraps an arm around her waist and their hands find each other’s. They take one slow step, then another, then shift, quickly, Bea laughing as they bump into each other. Jamie bends to whisper something in her ear.

“They’re so damn cute,” Margo says.

I grunt.

She rolls her eyes. “Now, now, no grunting. Some people are happy to find a partner for the dance of life, and we’re happy for them.”

“We both know that’s not my thing. Why would it be?” I take her waist and she leans in. “When I already have you?”

“Stop flirting.” She laughs, falling into rhythm with me, our steps aligned. “I’m a happily married woman.”

I grin down at her as we turn and take another slow, long step. We pass Kate as the hot nerd extends a hand, as if offering her the dance. I miss a step and nearly twist an ankle when I trip over Margo.

“Sorry!” Margo yelps. “My bad. Sula says I’m always topping from the bottom. I can’t help but do it tangoing, too.”

I blink, wrenching my gaze away from Kate and focusing on Margo. “You shouldn’t be sorry. That was all my fault.”

Margo’s gaze trails to where mine just left, landing on Kate. Then she smiles up at me. “Actually, you know what, I better make sure Rowan’s not eating another churro.”

“Margo—”

“Thanks for the dance!” She presses a kiss to my cheek, then spins off, leaving me a few measly feet from Kate, who stands alone. With no hot nerd beside her anymore.

Our eyes meet. Kate gives me a dispassionate once-over. “Petruchio.”

“Katerina.”

“Lost your partner pretty quick, didn’t you?” she asks.

I feel myself losing the battle with my self-control as I stare at her.

Be nice, the voice of reason inside me whispers.

Goddammit, I don’t want to beniceto Katerina. As I look at her, every thought racing through my brain is as far fromniceas possible.

“What happened to yours?” I ask. “Lost them before you could even dance. Did you make them cry?”

Kate shrugs idly. “He might have shed a tear or two when I declined his offer.”

I cluck my tongue. “Sorely low on your daily quota, then, aren’t you?”

“Oh, the night is young,” she says breezily. “I still have plenty of time to catch up.”

A beat of thick silence falls between us. This is when I should excuse myself, keep my promise to Bill and Jamie, and make myself scarce so the night can pass in peace.

Except I can’t seem to move. I just... stand there. Staring at Kate, my gaze drawn once again to her right arm still in its sling. I tell myself not to look too closely, tell my chest not to knot as I seehow she stands by herself at the edge of the floor, looking beat-up and proud, her chin held high, that fiery glint in her eyes.

Kate observes me inspecting her and arches an eyebrow. “Can I help you?”

“You can.” I set out my hand.

She stares at it like it’s roadkill.

A smile lifts my mouth. I’m absurdly delighted by that.

What are you doing? You’re supposed to be walking away, not toward her, dammit!

---